Buccal film drug delivery: Linking formulation design with pharmacokinetic control and clinical translation.

Authors

Yogesh N Joshi, Arnavaz Akhzarmehr, Hossein Omidian

Published in

Journal of pharmaceutical sciences. Pages 104411. Jul 12, 2026. Epub Jul 12, 2026.

Abstract

Buccal film drug delivery systems have evolved from experimental formulations to clinically relevant platforms capable of enabling rapid, controlled, and targeted drug administration. By bypassing hepatic first-pass metabolism and allowing direct absorption through the buccal mucosa, these systems offer improved systemic exposure, faster onset of action, and enhanced patient compliance compared to conventional oral dosage forms. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of formulation design strategies in buccal films, including polymer selection, multilayer architectures, incorporation of nanocarriers, and their influence on drug release behavior and mucosal permeation. The relationships between in vitro drug release, ex vivo permeation, and in vivo pharmacokinetics are critically evaluated, highlighting the current limitations and opportunities in establishing predictive correlations for buccal delivery systems. Key pharmacokinetic outcomes, including Tmax, Cmax, and systemic exposure, are discussed in the context of formulation-driven mechanisms such as particle size engineering, matrix composition, and controlled drug release. By integrating advances in materials selection, film architecture, and pharmacokinetic performance, this review provides a framework for the rational design and clinical translation of buccal film drug delivery systems.

PMID:
42437589
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 13 Jul 2026.

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